To register for one of our public programs, select one of the dropdowns to see the list of programs and click the Register Online button to be taken to the online registration website, or use the button below to search for programs by location, age, date and more.

*New in 2024!*
At 10 a.m. on the first day of the each month, program registrations will open for the following month.
This will help us ensure that new programs will continuously be open for registration!

Having trouble registering for a program online? Contact Susan Jones at 919-460-2723 or email susan.jones@wake.gov for assistance.

*Pre-registration is required for all programs, unless otherwise noted. All participants must be registered. All in-person family programs require an adult to register and attend with children under 18. Age restrictions may apply. Age limits are established for safety and program content. 

Pets, except service animals, are not permitted at programs.

The Homeschool/Track-Out Series typically runs monthly from February to November. These programs are open to students 6–13 years old. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the program or drop-off. Preregistration is required.

Homeschool/Track-out: Turtle Time

Wednesday, May 22
1–3 p.m.

Join us for an engaging environmental education program where we will learn about the aquatic and terrestrial turtles in our area! We will learn through presentations, activities, and exploration. Open to ages 6–13. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the program or drop-off.

Homeschool/Track-out: Outdoor Survival Skills

Wednesday, June 12
1–3 p.m.

Join us for an fun environmental education program focused on some basic outdoor survival skills like making a fire, building a shelter, and using a compass. Open to ages 6–13. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the program or drop-off.
Registration to open May 1.

Storytime for Tots typically occurs on a Wednesday each month from 10 to 11 a.m. Each program includes a story followed by nature exploration and a craft or activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Come prepared to participate actively with your child. Preregistration is required. Ages 18 months–6 years old.

Storytime for Tots: The Reason for a Flower

Wednesday, May 1
10–11 a.m.

Flowers play an important role in the lives of plants, animals and humans. Plants use flowers to make seeds; many amazing animals eat nectar and pollinate flowers; and humans enjoy their beauty and the fruits that many flowers become. Discover all these vital roles in a poetic and beautiful way in this month's Storytime for Tots program as we read Ruth Heller's The Reason for a Flower.

Storytime for Tots: Over in the Meadow

Wednesday, June 19
10–11 a.m.

Take a peaceful journey through a meadow to discover the animals living there in this fun and beautifully illustrated tale Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats. Follow along counting the animals and their loving parents as we enjoy this fun story in this month's Storytime for Tots.
Registration to open May 1.

Nature Nerds: Herping at 286 East

Friday, April 26
1–2:30 p.m.

Expand your knowledge of our local flora and fauna by exploring a different area of the park each month. Join park staff as they "nerd out" over a different group of animals, plants, fungi or other living things each month. Help collect data for our Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist while increasing your own identification skills.

This month we will be exploring the new part of our park at the 286 East property and looking for herpetological species such as turtles, frogs, snakes and salamanders!

Open to ages 6 and up. Pre-registration is required.

Nature Nerds: Insect Investigation

Friday, May 24
1–2 p.m.

Expand your knowledge of our local flora and fauna by exploring a different area of the park each month. Join park staff as they "nerd out" over a different group of animals, plants, fungi or other living things each month. Help collect data for our Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist while increasing your own identification skills.

This month we will be looking at the largest group of living creatures on earth, insects! We will use ID guides and Seek to help identify the six legged, hard exoskeleton, critters we find.

Open to ages 6 and up. Pre-registration is required.

Nature Nerds: Mushroom Mania

Friday, June 14
1–2 p.m.

Expand your knowledge of our local flora and fauna by exploring a different area of the park each month. Join park staff as they "nerd out" over a different group of animals, plants, fungi or other living things each month. Help collect data for our Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist while increasing your own identification skills.

This month we will be searching for mushrooms in the forest and seeing if we can confidently identify any of them. As always we will explore whatever we find on our nature walk!

Open to ages 6 and up. Pre-registration is required.
Registration to open May 1.

Lake Crabtree County Park will occasionally offer programs and workshops intended for adults. These are great opportunities to learn new skills. If you have a special request for a nature-themed adult workshop that you would like to see offered, you may contact our Environmental Education staff directly, and they can work with you to make that happen:

• Assistant Park Manager of Environmental Education, Susan Jones
  • susan.jones@wake.gov or 919-460-2723
• Park Technician of Environmental Education, Charlie McClay
  • charles.mcclay@wake.gov or 919-460-3355
    
     

Birding with Vernon

Saturday, May 4
8:30–10 a.m.

Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Bring your own binoculars and field guides if you have them. Beginners and experienced birdwatchers are welcome! Minors must attend with a registered adult, and all participants must pre-register. Open to ages 8 and up.

Beginning Birding

Saturday, May 18
9 a.m.–noon

What is the difference between birdwatching and birding? Birding with Vernon walk leader, Vernon Janke, will talk about the art of birding and the tools and techniques you need to improve your birding skills. Discover why birding is one of the most popular outdoor activities, and use your new knowledge on a bird walk around the park. Adults only.

Birding with Vernon

Saturday, June 1
8:30–10 a.m.

Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Bring your own binoculars and field guides if you have them. Beginners and experienced birdwatchers are welcome! Minors must attend with a registered adult, and all participants must pre-register. Open to ages 8 and up.
Registration to open May 1.

Introduction to Kayaking

Sunday, April 14
Two Sessions
10 a.m.–noon OR 1–3 p.m.

Experience the thrill of kayaking – where you can effortlessly glide across the water's surface. Kayaking is an exciting water sport where you sit in a kayak and paddle your way through the water. Join our instructors as they introduce you to kayaking terminology, teach paddle techniques and give you hands-on practice. Be prepared get wet and have a blast! This program involves a moderate amount of strenuous activity and is designed for ages 14 and up.

Full Moon Paddle

Friday, April 19
8–10 p.m.

Enjoy views of the full moon from the lake and this unique opportunity to be in the park after hours! Bring your own boat or reserve one of ours. Adults only. Pre-registration is required.

Sunset Canoe Tour

Wednesday, May 1
6–8 p.m.

Join staff for an evening paddle around the lake. We will explore "bird island," Crabtree Creek and other areas in search of herons, beaver, turtles and more. This program is for ages 8 and up. Each registration is for one canoe, and all participants must be listed. Each canoe is limited to two or three people (if three; one of the three must be a child). An adult is required in each canoe.

Introduction to Kayaking

Saturday, May 5
Two Sessions
10 a.m.–noon OR 1–3 p.m.

Experience the thrill of kayaking – where you can effortlessly glide across the water's surface. Kayaking is an exciting water sport where you sit in a kayak and paddle your way through the water. Join our instructors as they introduce you to kayaking terminology, teach paddle techniques and give you hands-on practice. Be prepared get wet and have a blast! This program involves a moderate amount of strenuous activity and is designed for ages 14 and up.

Full Moon Paddle

Friday, June 21
8:30–10:30 p.m.

Enjoy views of the full moon from the lake and this unique opportunity to be in the park after hours! Bring your own boat or reserve one of ours. Adults only. Pre-registration is required.
Registration to open May 1.

Fly Fishing 101

Sunday, April 21
1–4 p.m.

This three-hour-long program will introduce you to basic fly rod casting techniques, fly selection, fly characteristics and the different fishing water characteristics encountered in freshwater environments in NC as well the game fish found within them. The program will begin at Dogwood Shelter for the classroom portion before we adjourn to the open play field for casting lessons, after which we will be wading and fishing in the lake!
Ages 14+

City Nature Challenge – Lake Crabtree Bio-Blitz

Friday, April 26
4–6 p.m.

The City Nature Challenge is a great way to learn more about the natural world around you while you contribute photos and data to science. Each year the Triangle area competes against other cities and geographic regions around the world to see who can collect the most observations. Find out more here.

Looking for a fun and easy way to participate? Stop by the Park Managers anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to get started with help from park staff and receive an Exploration Pack to assist you with finding and identifying species within Lake Crabtree County Park. Each pack contains ID sheets, a nature-based park map and more to enhance your City Nature Challenge experience!

Registration is encouraged, but not required!
All Ages

Rain Barrel Workshop

Tuesday, May 14
6–7:30 p.m.

Build your own rain barrel! Participants in this workshop will take home a fully functional 55-gallon rain barrel with installation kit. These are the same rain barrels that retail for $99 and up! Workshops are limited to ten barrels, so reserve your spot now. One registration per barrel. Cost is $55 per barrel and participation is limited to two people per barrel (the person who signed up and one extra person to help). This event is being presented by "We Plant It Forward."

Lawn Games and Leisure Sports: Ladder Toss

Thursday, May 23
6–7:30 p.m.

Lawn games and leisure sports are a wonderful way to appreciate the longer days and warm weather. They are approachable for many age ranges and skill levels and are a fun addition to any picnic or family game night! Expand your repertoire of outdoor activities as we explore, strategize and play leisure sports together. Join us each session to learn the rules, history and etiquette of a new lawn game. This week we will be learning the game of Ladder Toss. An easy, affordable game for lawns of any size and players of any skill level, ladder toss is popular for family barbecues and college yards. Come enjoy an evening of laid back fun at Lake Crabtree. All minors must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Fly Fishing 101

Sunday, June 9
1–4 p.m.

This three-hour-long program will introduce you to basic fly rod casting techniques, fly selection, fly characteristics and the different fishing water characteristics encountered in freshwater environments in NC as well the game fish found within them. The program will begin at Dogwood Shelter for the classroom portion before we adjourn to the open play field for casting lessons, after which we will be wading and fishing in the lake!
Ages 14+
Registration to open May 1.

Lawn Games and Leisure Sports: Kubb

Thursday, June 13
6–7:30 p.m.

Lawn games and leisure sports are a wonderful way to appreciate the longer days and warm weather. They are approachable for many age ranges and skill levels and are a fun addition to any picnic or family game night! Expand your repertoire of outdoor activities as we explore, strategize and play leisure sports together. Join us each session to learn the rules, history and etiquette of a new lawn game. This month we will be learning the game of Kubb. Originating in Sweden, this lawn game using wooden batons to knock over wooden blocks is described as a combination of the bowling and horseshoes. The game is easy to pick up and can be played nearly anywhere. Come enjoy this relaxed Viking pastime. All minors must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Registration to open May 1.

Visit Lake Crabtree's Adventure Backpack Bin, on the garden side of the manager's office, for some educational fun! You can participate in a citizen science project, go on a scavenger hunt or do some birdwatching! All of the information and tools you need are provided. Just show up anytime during park hours, sign out a backpack at the bin and begin your adventure! Please be sure to take our short survey when you have completed your activity.

Geocaches at Lake Crabtree County Park

• As The Crow Flies
• Take a Child Outside
• JKL Go Duke's Birthday
• I'm NOT Crabby
• Don't Eat the Fish
• Firefly 1
• Gray Ghost 3
• Take a Hike 2
• Crabtree South
• Hike and Bike: A Lake Crabtree Adventure
• Mushrooms
• Phone a Friend
• The Far Side
• Take a Hike 3
• Seven
• Daisy
• Stick It
• Crabtree Lake Hut
• Crabtree Lake Overlook
• "Look UP" Number One
• "Look UP" Number Two
• Old Fallen Cedar Tree Hide
• Lake Crabtree Multi-Cache
  
   

Geocaches at Lake Crabtree County Park

• Orienteering Course Map 1–14
• Orienteering Course Directions 1–14
  
   

Take a mobile tour and see the park through a new lens!

Lake Crabtree County Park has two interactive cell phone tours that you can access from home or while you're at the park. You can access each tour from the hyperlinked title below.